Software-defined vehicles: The future of the automotive industry?
Feb 8, 2024
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Thoughtworks experts Michael Fait and Sri discuss the impact of software-defined vehicles on the automotive industry. They explore topics such as the role of software in design and manufacturing, security concerns, testing methods, emerging technologies, open source collaboration, regulations, and the future of mobility.
Software has become a crucial element in delivering a great car experience, meeting the changed expectations of digital native car buyers.
Collaboration among various stakeholders is crucial in integrating software into vehicles, with a shift towards using fewer powerful computers and tighter integration of hardware and software.
Deep dives
Software becoming integral for cars due to changing customer expectations
The expectations of car buyers, who are now digital natives, have changed. To meet these expectations, software has become a crucial element in delivering a great car experience. The software is now a talking point in the automotive industry, with features like infotainment and advanced drive assistance systems relying heavily on software.
Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) and CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric)
SDV and CASE are two perspectives on the evolution of cars. SDV focuses on how software is implemented in vehicles, while CASE describes how the physical product of a car is evolving, with features like connectivity, autonomy, electric power, and shared mobility. Software is the common denominator across all these evolutions.
Hardware abstraction and collaboration in software development
In the development of software defined vehicles, there is a shift towards using fewer powerful computers and smaller units that are tightly integrated with the hardware. Hardware abstraction layers are used to separate hardware-bound software from more functional and business logic. Collaboration among different stakeholders, including OEMs, tier one suppliers, and hyperscalers, is crucial in bringing software into vehicles at different layers of the tech stack.
Challenges of software updates and security in vehicles
Updating software in vehicles presents challenges, such as ensuring security and avoiding disruptions while driving. Security measures need to be implemented to protect against potential attacks on the software. The process of updating software must be carefully managed to maintain a positive customer experience and avoid issues like false alarms or system failures.
A few decades ago, it would have probably seemed strange to put software and automobility together. However, today software is embedded in all kinds of modern vehicles, enabling capabilities in everything from driving to passenger entertainment. But what exactly does this all mean for the automotive industry? And what demands does it place on design and manufacturing processes?
In this episode of the Technology Podcast, two Thoughtworks experts on software-defined vehicles — Michael Fait and Sriram J. — speak to Ashok Subramanian and Ken Mugrage about how the automotive industry has been changed by software. They cover everything from the implications software has for the way we think about design, manufacturing and regulation across the industry to the skills and practices developers need to work in this exciting space.
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